Dear Sir,
I have heard through the grapevine that “The Oaks”, who provide Day Care for the most vulnerable people is going to close! Can this be true and if so what will be in its place that is affordable? As a full time carer myself I know what it is like and respite is needed for the health of carers.
Is this going to be like Shafto House where our Councillors say nothing? I know that there are big changes coming to the D.L.A. next year with P.I.P., a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64.
The following is on the DWP website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/
“The Government is committed to supporting disabled people to lead independent and active lives. It recognises that disabled people can face additional challenges to leading independent lives and is committed to maintaining an extra-cost, non-means-tested disability benefit to support disabled people”
What about the people who cannot think or look after themselves? There is little enough help out there already.
It seems that we have to find out for ourselves about The Oaks closure as our Councillors don’t want to tell us in case the news will lose them our vote!
Lileen Cuthbertson
